Manini – Done.

The newest model is a twin-fin fish that I’ve called the Manini (the Hawaiian name for the convict tang, one of themost common reef fish). This one has a nice wide bat-tail and low-to-medium rocker to keep it going in smallish surf. This one is a kids board which will allow my 10-year old to progress from mini-longboards and funshapes up to proper short boards. It’s still got plenty of volume and length for her. At 6’ it may seem small but fish are generally ridden 6”-12” shorter than ones “regular” board due to their design. Take a mini-mal, cut 6’ out of the center and there’s your fish.

 

Manini

The little fish progresses. Almost ready for glass.

 

“Little Brother” is also shaping up, ready for art. 6’ 4” squash:

Brothers Board pt. 1

Rod's board pt. 1 from rotorhead guy on Vimeo.

Brothers

That’s what I’m calling these two boards.

“Big Brother” is a 9’0 longboard, full and thick, for my oldest brother.

“Little Brother” is a high-performance 6’5” shortboard which will be my winter board.

Since they both are new shapes I’m starting by cutting the templates out of 1/8” ply:

Finished

Came out nice, with the exception of a few air bubbles under the glass on the deck. Otherwise it's good to go. The wahine who received it was stoked!

Grad Present

This board is a "customer board" for a recent H.S. grad. It's going to be crazy. 8'6", single-to-double concave/slight vee, and a color job that is turning out insane.

 

  

Time Lapse Shaping: Fish

Here's a fish I did recently from a 6'2" EPS shortboard/fish blank. Making a board from a foam blank is like sculpting, where making a wood board is more of an exercise in engineering. The wood boards are more satisfying...but a hundred times more time consuming.

This fish is essentially ready for glass after less than 2 hours work shaping (I'm going to put color, fin plugs and a leash plug in).

Time Lapse Fish from rotorhead guy on Vimeo.